Reflecting on historical events in the Chicago area, June 6 has seen significant moments over the decades.
1944: D-Day Mass at Holy Name Cathedral
On June 6, 1944, Chicagoans attended services in various houses of worship, including the Holy Name Cathedral, as Allied forces launched the D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France. The front page of the Chicago Daily Tribune on that day boldly declared, “Allies Invade France.”
Weather Records
- High Temperature: 97 degrees (1971)
- Low Temperature: 39 degrees (1985)
- Precipitation: 1.6 inches (1931)
- Snowfall: None
1883: Establishment of Medinah Temple
Medinah Temple received Charter No. 14 during the ninth Imperial Session of the Imperial Grand Council at the Masonic Temple in New York. This marked the beginning of what became a notable Chicago institution.
1892: Launch of Chicago’s “L”
Despite a lack of fanfare, the opening of Chicago’s first elevated railroad on June 6, 1892, was a “decided success.” Service started on the initial stretch of the “L” between Congress and 39th streets.
1995: Life Sentence for Richard Bailey
Richard Bailey received a life sentence on June 6, 1995, for his involvement in the suspected murder of Helen Vorhees Brach. The candy heiress disappeared in 1979. Bailey was accused of defrauding women, including Brach, into buying overpriced racehorses. The sentence was reduced to 30 years shortly after. Brach was declared legally deceased in 1984, though her remains were never found.
2004: Riley Fox Case
The tragic death of three-year-old Riley Fox on June 6, 2004, shocked the Wilmington community. Initially, her father, Kevin Fox, was arrested, though later exonerated. Convicted sex offender Scott Eby eventually admitted guilt and received a life sentence without parole. Kevin Fox died in a car accident in March 2023.
2015: The 606 Trail Opens
Chicago introduced its latest public space on June 6, 2015. The 606, an elevated track and park system, opened to the public, offering a new recreational area for residents and visitors.
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